Steadily becoming a saint, the immortal officials hired me to tend the horses

Hearing Ji Xiaoyu's words, Gu An couldn't help but feel curious.

Why did she have such thoughts?

In her past life, before her death, Gu An did indeed help her, but that was in the guise of the Sword Venerable Fudao.

Could it be that Ji Xiaoyu had already seen through his true identity at that time?

That was impossible. The Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body could shield against probing and causal deduction. To see through his identity, the other party's cultivation level would have to be far higher than his.

Could it be because of Gu An's identity?

Gu An suddenly recalled when they were children, Ji Xiaoyu once spoke up to save him. Thinking carefully, it seemed Ji Xiaoyu had only saved him and not shown such kindness to other house servants, or perhaps she didn't meddle in their affairs.

Gu An smiled and said, "Since you trust me so much, I must treat you well. As long as you're in Medicine Valley, you can cultivate at ease. No one can harm you."

Ji Xiaoyu nodded, then started talking about Journey to the West again.

Recently, in addition to her cultivation, she had also begun reading like Gu An, becoming more and more fascinated with Journey to the West as she read.

The two chatted for an hour before Ji Xiaoyu left.

...

Autumn arrived.

Gu An returned to Immortal Seeking Island. After the attack by the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, the island had become somewhat desolate, but overall it had not declined.

The strength of Immortal Seeking Island was still formidable. Without an attack from a Divine Exotic Resentful Ghost that surpassed the Loose Immortal Realm, it was difficult to shake the foundation of Immortal Seeking Island.

Gu An sent a message to Hu Xiaojian, who quickly appeared before him.

After the salute, Hu Xiaojian began recounting the attack on Immortal Seeking Island. When he mentioned the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, his face was full of fear and dread.

"Those fellas reformed in less than five breaths after being scattered. They were too troublesome. Fortunately, the Island Master used divine skills to move them all away. Unable to break through, they eventually dispersed..."

Hu Xiaojian shivered as he spoke.

Gu An comforted him after hearing, "It's okay, it's over now. Don't worry. Immortal Seeking Island has stood here for so many years; it won't be easily destroyed."

"Just afraid of a Divine Exotic Ghost King descending..." Hu Xiaojian sighed.

"What does Immortal Seeking Island have that would attract a Divine Exotic Ghost King?"

"Indeed, the Divine Exotic Ghost King doesn't seek heavenly treasures, only wishing to slaughter the strong and use them for their own purposes."

Your next journey awaits at мѵʟ

Hu Xiaojian nodded, his mood lifting.

Afterward, he led Gu An to continue their procurement, while also talking about the Sea Breaking Rift and the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts' news.

Gu An listened. Currently, various parts of the ocean were under attack from the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts. Their numbers were increasing, causing the maritime sects to take action. Many sects that Hu Xiaojian had never even heard of before displayed their power, astounding him.

Deep Sea Spirit Palace, Mortal World Peak, Bitter Sea Buddha Sect, Purple Pill Palace, Immortal Fall Gorge, Vast Energy Daoist Sect, Time Divine Pavilion...

This vast world left Hu Xiaojian deeply moved.

Gu An, however, wasn't much affected. He had previously used his divine sense to probe and found that this world was on par with the Star Sea Congregations, with over a hundred sects at the same level, demonstrating the world's immense strength.

Some sects could already travel to Outer Heaven, yet they remained here. Perhaps there were unimaginable dangers in Outer Heaven for mortal spirits.

Gu An was curious about the power that enveloped the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, forbidding beings below the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm from leaving. What exactly was it?

Was it the constraints of the world or the work of some higher force?

In any case, Gu An didn't plan to venture to Outer Heaven lightly.

Since only Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals could leave the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, he needed to surpass that level by at least two major realms before exploring. It would be too frustrating to die out there.

When Hu Xiaojian mentioned medicinal herbs, Gu An's thoughts returned to reality.

Compared to the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts, he was more concerned with extending his lifespan.

The years flowed on; since ancient times, the mortal world had been full of hardships, but those who could live long lives were few.

Longevity and immortality, that was what Gu An cared about most.

...

In the blink of an eye, five years passed.

Gu An's life span had already exceeded twenty-eight million years, nearing thirty million years.

In these five years, the ocean faced endless calamities, and Immortal Seeking Island experienced two more attacks. However, the mainland where Supreme Sect resided remained peaceful, unaffected by the ocean's tribulations.

In the forest.

Gu An sat on the back of the Blood Prison Great Saint, watching with a smile as Yang Jian and Li Lingtian sparred.

Though Li Lingtian had reached the second layer of the Core Formation Realm, he was still suppressed by Yang Jian, who appeared to be only in the Foundation Establishment Realm. In reality, Yang Jian had already formed his Nascent Soul. Even if he suppressed his cultivation to the Foundation Establishment Realm, his physical strength was not something a Core Formation Realm cultivator could withstand.

Bang!

Li Lingtian crashed into a tree trunk, causing the thousand-year-old tree to tremble, leaves falling.

Ten zhang away, Yang Jian retracted his leg, patting his robe. His sharp aura subsided, and the oppressive feeling he exuded disappeared.

Li Lingtian sat on the ground, clutching his chest in pain.

The voice of the Blood Prison Great Saint came, "Li Lingtian, your cultivation results are too weak. Like this, you still dare to call yourself Lingtian?"

Hearing this, Li Lingtian grew anxious, but with Gu An and Yang Jian there, he could only suppress it.

"Damn it... What kind of monster is this guy..."

Li Lingtian struggled to stand, looking at Yang Jian with fear.

Fortunately, it was just a spar. If it were a life-and-death fight, he wouldn't just die; he would die horribly.

He felt that over the years, Yang Jian's ferocity had grown, and even someone as fearless as him was terrified, afraid of provoking him.

"Jian'er, you were too heavy-handed. Apologize." Gu An's voice came, and Yang Jian looked at Li Lingtian, noticing his serious internal injuries, he immediately felt guilty and hurried forward.

"Sorry, I was distracted just now." Yang Jian stood before Li Lingtian, his face full of regret.

Seeing his expression, Li Lingtian didn't feel better; in fact, he felt worse.

He forced a smile, saying, "It's fine, I'm just not skilled enough."

He suddenly wanted to leave the Third Medicine Valley.

He thought staying by Yang Jian would help him learn more, but why did the gap feel like it was widening?

He almost forgot what it felt like to win. To be precise, he had never won.

Since becoming an adult, he only sparred with Yang Jian and wouldn't bully other disciples in the valley.

Gu An called them back to the valley, simultaneously scanning the ocean with his divine sense.

Five years had passed, and the seas around the continent had started to show signs of the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts. Though few in number, it was not a good omen.

For having once struck down a thousand-zhang tall figure and dispersed giant waves, he surely left a profound impression on the mysterious existence within the Sea Breaking Rift. But all these years, no danger had arrived, which was definitely not a stroke of luck. The mysterious entity under the Sea Breaking Rift must be plotting something.

The desire for a breakthrough grew stronger in Gu An's heart.

With a cultivation level of the ninth layer of the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm, he would remain unafraid of calamities. Even if he couldn't win, he could escape. But if he could escape, what about Medicine Valley and those he cared about?

Escaping with them all would be inconvenient and could expose his true cultivation level.

"Damn Heavenly Dao, obstructing my pursuit of one hundred million years of life span," Gu An thought to himself, frustrated.

The Blood Prison Great Saint beneath him couldn't fathom his thoughts; it was busy teasing Li Lingtian, making Li Lingtian's face turn completely red, feeling like exploding.

As they approached the valley entrance of the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An noticed a figure. He lightly patted the ox's back, signaling the Blood Prison Great Saint to speed up.

In the end, Li Lingtian ran faster, rushing over like a gust of wind.

"Sister Yu, why are you here?" Li Lingtian asked with a flattering smile.

Sixteen-year-old Ji Xiaoyu stood at the valley entrance, tall and slender, dressed in a belted blue dress, with beautiful makeup, her long hair coiled under a purple crown, looking like a fairy in a painting. Even some passing disciples from the valley couldn't help but frequently glance at her.

Compared to her past life, she had grown more beautiful and not as cold in temperament.

Originally smiling, Ji Xiaoyu's smile faded as soon as Li Lingtian appeared, and she took a step to the side.

This step made the already hurt Li Lingtian feel even worse.

When the Blood Prison Great Saint got closer, Ji Xiaoyu smiled and said, "Brother Valley Master, are you done?"

Gu An nodded and asked, "Do you have something to discuss?"

"Let's talk inside." Ji Xiaoyu said, heading toward Gu An's pavilion.

Li Lingtian looked at her back, hesitating to speak.

Riding the Blood Prison Great Saint, Gu An followed her back. Yang Jian also left alone to continue his cultivation. He still wasn't strong enough to contend with Impermanence Tian.

Only Li Lingtian remained at the valley entrance, looking around, feeling very depressed.

"You beat up Laozi, and you're all happy and dispersed?"

On the other hand.

Gu An led Ji Xiaoyu to the second floor of the pavilion. After sitting down, he stretched lazily and asked, "What's the matter?"

Ji Xiaoyu sat down and took the paper and pen beside her, beginning to write.

Gu An picked up a book, reading while waiting.

He pondered whether to enhance his physique and cultivation technique if he broke through early.

His Mystic Holy Body was stronger than the Treasure Body, having upgraded from the Five Elements Treasure Body to the Innate Taoist Body, then transformed into the Mystic Holy Body.

But the Mystic Holy Body could still improve. After all, the path to becoming stronger was endless.

After a long time.

Ji Xiaoyu stopped writing. She looked up at Gu An and pouted, "Why don't you care at all about what I'm writing?"

Gu An put down his book and smiled, "Aren't I waiting for you to finish? I've lived one hundred fifty years longer than you; it's not easy to get curious so quickly."

Ji Xiaoyu pushed the dozen sheets of paper she had written toward Gu An. "This is a cultivation technique I comprehended last night. Have a look."

Gu An picked them up and read them one by one.

After he finished, he was astonished and said, "What a marvelous technique. Did you really comprehend this?"

This technique was indeed excellent, though not as good as his own. However, within the Supreme Sect, it would definitely be highly valuable, not something an Inner Sect Disciple could buy.

Ji Xiaoyu replied, "Yes, sort of. This technique can cleanse the muscles and marrow. You always complain about your poor aptitude. You can try this technique. It doesn't affect your Energy Absorption Skill, so you can cultivate it with peace of mind."

Gu An raised an eyebrow and asked, "Can I teach it to others?"

Ji Xiaoyu furrowed her brows slightly at that.

Gu An chuckled, "If it's not allowed, then forget it. Thank you very much."